Non Competitive Sole Source for NAM Leadership Consortium FINAL.pdf

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation.

Offers are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

Solicitation number 260740 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).

1. NOTICE / REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Acquisitions (OA) Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources (ASFR) Office of Mission Acquisition Solutions (OMAS) is issuing this Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the acquisition of NAM Leadership Consortium products/publications. Leadership Consortium publications come in various forms, principally Workshop Summaries, Discussion Papers, and Commentaries. Workshop Summaries are formal, peer-reviewed summary manuscripts published by the National Academies. Discussion Papers are expert-authored papers that address key issues in value and science-driven health care.

Commentaries are short op-ed style pieces that provide leading experts the opportunity to offer their observations and opinions on innovations and challenges in health and health care.

This acquisition is being conducted using the streamlined procedures for commercial products and commercial services under Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) FAR Part 12, including the simplified procedures at RFO FAR 12.201-1.

The Government anticipates issuing a firm-fixed-price purchase order as a result of this RFQ.

This acquisition is not being conducted as a competitive acquisition. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with National Academy of Sciences as the only source reasonably available to satisfy the Government's requirement.

The Government has documented its decision that only one source is available and the basis for that decision in accordance with RFO FAR 12.102(a).

All responsible sources may submit a quotation or other appropriate response by the date and time stated in this notice. Any timely response will be considered by the Government.

2. BASIS FOR NONCOMPETITIVE ACQUISITION

2.1 Intended Source

HHS intends to acquire the requirement from:

Vendor: National Academy of Sciences Address: 500 Fifth Street NW Washington, DC 20001

UEI: PKFJZHG2MLG9

CAGE Code, if applicable: 1D969

2.2 Reason Competition Is Lacking

Based on market research conducted by HHS, National Academy of Sciences is the only source reasonably available to meet the Government's requirements.

The basis for this determination is as follows:

The Office of Mission Acquisition Solutions (OMAS), Office of Acquisition (OA), on behalf of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), intends to negotiate and award a purchase order without providing for full and open competition (including brand-name) to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), 500 Fifth Street NW Washington, DC 20001 for NAM Leadership Consortium products/publications. Leadership Consortium publications such as forms, principally Workshop Summaries, Discussion Papers, and Commentaries. Workshop Summaries are formal, peer-reviewed summary manuscripts published by the National Academies.

Workshop Summaries are formal, peer-reviewed summary manuscripts published by the National Academies. Discussion Papers are expert-authored papers that address key issues in value and science-driven health care. Commentaries are short op-ed style pieces that provide leading experts the opportunity to offer their observations and opinions on innovations and challenges in health and health care.

Examples of titles of work products/publications from previous Leadership Consortium work include: Optimizing Strategies for Clinical Decision Support and Accelerating Medical Evidence Generation and Use. See the attached Statement of Work – Attachment 1.

2.3 Why another commercial product/service would not satisfy the Government need:

The Government evaluated whether other commercially available publications, research products, consulting services, academic publications, or similar health care information products could satisfy the requirement. Based on the market research conducted, commercially available alternatives do not provide the same combination of expert-developed content, peer-reviewed workshop summaries, discussion papers, and commentaries specifically produced through the National Academy of Medicine’s Leadership Consortium Collaboration for a Learning Health System.

The required products are developed through the Leadership Consortium and address specific issues related to value- and science-driven health care, learning health systems, clinical decision-making, medical evidence, innovation, and challenges affecting health care delivery.

The products include formal workshop summaries, expert-authored discussion papers, and commentaries from recognized leaders and subject-matter experts. These products are not interchangeable with general health care publications, commercially available research reports, or other publications because those alternatives do not provide the same content, authorship, peer-review process, subject-matter focus, or access to the specific Leadership Consortium body of work required by the Government.

2.4 Market Research Performed and Results:

Market research was conducted to identify commercially available products and services that could satisfy the Government’s requirement. The research included a review of publicly available information, publisher and organizational websites, commercially available health care research and publication sources, and other potential providers of health care research, analysis, and publications.

The market research identified numerous health care publications and research products;

however, the research did not identify another source that provides the specific NAM Leadership Consortium workshop summaries, discussion papers, and commentaries required by the Government. The identified alternatives consist of different publications or research products and therefore would not provide the Government with the specific body of work and associated expertise required under this procurement.

2.5 Substitutes, Resellers, and Alternative Solutions:

The Government also considered whether substitutes, resellers, distributors, or alternative sources could satisfy the requirement. Although other organizations may publish health care research, reports, white papers, commentaries, or similar materials, those products are not substitutes for the required NAM Leadership Consortium publications because they are independently developed and do not represent the specific Leadership Consortium work product required by CMS.

A reseller or distributor would not provide a substantive alternative source because the requirement is for access to the specific NAM Leadership Consortium products/publications.

The content, authorship, peer-review process, and subject matter associated with these publications originate from the National Academy of Medicine and its Leadership Consortium.

Accordingly, obtaining the same products through an intermediary would not satisfy the Government’s need for an alternative source.

Based on the market research conducted, the Government determined that other commercial publications, substitutes, resellers, or alternative solutions would not satisfy the Government’s minimum requirements. The NAM Leadership Consortium products/publications are uniquely suited to meet the Government’s requirement for these specific workshop summaries, discussion papers, and commentaries.

The Government's contract file contains the documentation supporting the decision to restrict competition in accordance with RFO FAR 12.102(a).

3. SMALL BUSINESS CONSIDERATINS

This acquisition is NOT a set-aside for small business concerns. This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of provisions and clauses may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

4. SCHEDULE / CLINs

CLIN Description Quantity Unit Unit Price Extended Price

0001 [BASE REQUIREMENT] [QTY] [EA/MO/YR/LOT] $_____ $_____

0002 [ADDITIONAL ITEM, IF ANY] [QTY] [UNIT] $_____ $_____

1001 [OPTION 1, IF APPLICABLE] [QTY] [UNIT] $_____ $_____

2001 [OPTION 2, IF APPLICABLE] [QTY] [UNIT] $_____ $_____

Total Evaluated Price: $____________

Options, if included, will be evaluated in accordance with the applicable solicitation terms.

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT

HHS requires the following commercial services for National Academy of Medicine (NAM) NAM’s Leadership Consortium Collaboration for a Learning Health System (Leadership Consortium) as detailed in the Statement of Work.

The contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, licenses, subscriptions, supplies, transportation, management, and other resources necessary to provide:

http://www.acquisition.gov/

NAM Leadership Consortium products/publications. Leadership Consortium publications come in various forms, principally Workshop Summaries, Discussion Papers, and Commentaries.

Workshop Summaries are formal, peer-reviewed summary manuscripts published by the National Academies. Discussion Papers are expert-authored papers that address key issues in value and science-driven health care. Commentaries are short op-ed style pieces that provide leading experts the opportunity to offer their observations and opinions on innovations and challenges in health and health care.

Examples of titles of work products/publications from previous Leadership Consortium work include: Optimizing Strategies for Clinical Decision Support and Accelerating Medical Evidence Generation and Use.

See Attachment 1 – Statement of Work for specific requirements.

5. PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE / DELIVERY

Period of Performance:

Base Period: 09/29/2026 - 09/28/2027

Place of Performance / Delivery:

Remote

Contracting Officer Representative (COR):

The following Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will represent the Government for the purpose of this contract:

Melodee Koehler 7500 Security Blvd.

Baltimore, MD 21244-1850

Phone: 667-290-9522 Email Address: Melodee.Koehler@cms.hhs.gov

6. RESPONSES FROM SOURCES OTHER THAN THE INTENDED SOURCE

Although the Government intends to solicit National Academy of Medicine as the only source reasonably available, responsible sources may submit a quotation or other appropriate response by the response deadline.

mailto:Melodee.Koehler@cms.hhs.gov

A response from another source should clearly demonstrate that the source can satisfy all material requirements of this RFQ within the required schedule.

At a minimum, the response should include:

1. Legal business name and UEI;

2. Business size and socioeconomic status;

3. Technical documentation demonstrating ability to satisfy the requirement;

4. Identification of the commercial product/service proposed;

5. Evidence of authorization to provide the product/service, when applicable;

6. Delivery/performance schedule;

7. Relevant experience or past performance, if applicable; and

8. Pricing information.

The Government will consider timely responses received.

Submission of capability information does not guarantee that the Government will conduct a competitive acquisition.

Factor 1 — Technical Approach

The Government will evaluate whether the quoted commercial product or commercial service satisfies the Government's requirements.

Technical capability will be evaluated on an Acceptable/Unacceptable basis.

Acceptable: The quotation demonstrates that the proposed product/service satisfies the Government's material requirements.

Unacceptable: The quotation does not demonstrate that the proposed product/service satisfies the Government's material requirements.

Factor 2 — Personnel Qualifications

The Government will evaluate the offeror’s proposed personnel qualification, relevant experience, and project management approach to determine their ability to successfully perform the required services.

Factor 3 — Project Management Approach

The Government will evaluate the offeror’s approach to managing and coordinating the required publications, including quality control, timelines, communication, coordination with stakeholders, and the ability to successfully deliver required products in accordance with the Statement of Work.

Factor 4 — Past Performance / Commercial Market Experience

The Government may consider relevant past performance and commercial market experience from available sources, including Government and commercial sources.

Basis for Award

The Government will evaluate each quotation to determine whether the proposed product/service meets the requirements of the solicitation. Quotations that do not meet the requirements will not be considered for award. Because the Government has documented that only one source is reasonably available, the Government anticipates award to National Academy of Sciences provided that the vendor's quotation is technically acceptable, otherwise complies with the solicitation, and the Contracting Officer determines the price fair and reasonable.

The Government reserves the right not to issue a purchase order if these conditions are not satisfied.

7. LEGAL EFFECT OF QUOTATION AND PURCHASE ORDER

A quotation submitted in response to this RFQ is not an offer and does not create a binding contract.

A purchase order issued by the Government in response to a quotation constitutes the Government's offer to purchase the specified products or services upon the terms and conditions contained in the purchase order.

A binding contract is formed when the supplier accepts the Government's offer through written acceptance of the purchase order or substantial performance in accordance with the purchase order.

The Government may request written acceptance of the purchase order.

8. SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

The following RFO FAR solicitation provision applies:

52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (SEP 2023) Incorporated by reference

Addendum to FAR 52.212-1

Offerors shall submit a complete quotation that addresses all requirements identified in the Request for Quotations (RFQ) and Statement of Work (SOW). Quotations shall include the offeror’s technical approach, personnel qualifications and experience, project management approach, relevant past performance, and firm-fixed-price quotation.

Quotations shall be submitted electronically in PDF format and shall not exceed 8 pages, excluding the price quotation and required representations and certifications. The quotation shall be clearly organized according to the evaluation factors identified in the RFQ.

Quotations shall be received by Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 11:00 AM EST and emailed to Rashiid Cummins; Rashiid.Cummins@hhs.gov and Sieaun Marks; Sieaun.Marks@hhs.gov. Late quotations may be considered in accordance with applicable FAR provisions.

FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2021) — Incorporated by Reference

FAR 52.212-2(a) is tailored as follows:

The Government will evaluate quotations based on the following factors, listed in descending order of importance:

1. Technical Approach and Understanding of the Requirement

2. Personnel Qualifications and Experience

3. Project Management Approach

4. Past Performance

5. Price

Technical factors, when combined, are significantly more important than price.

RFO 52.240-90 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications (Deviation Date) mailto:Rashiid.Cummins@hhs.gov mailto:Sieaun.Marks@hhs.gov

HHSAR 352.239-78 — Information and Communication Technology Accessibility Notice

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE (FEB 2024)

(DEVIATION)

(a) Any offeror responding to this solicitation must comply with established HHS Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility standards. Information about Section 508 is available at https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/index.html.

(b) The Section 508 accessibility standards applicable to this solicitation are stated in the clause at 352.239-79 Information and Communication Technology Accessibility. In order to facilitate the Government’s determination whether proposed ICT supplies, products, platforms, information, and documentation meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, offerors must submit an appropriate HHS Section 508 Accessibility Conformance Checklist (see https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/accessibility-checklists/index.html) or an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) (based on the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) see https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat), in accordance with the completion instructions.

The purpose of the checklists and conformance reports are to assist HHS acquisition and program officials in determining whether proposed ICT supplies, products, platforms, information, and documentation conform to applicable Section 508 accessibility standards.

Checklists and ACRs evaluate—in detail—whether the ICT conforms to specific Section 508 accessibility standards and identifies remediation efforts needed to address conformance issues.

(c) If an offeror claims its supplies or services meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and it is later determined by the Government, i.e., after award of a contract or order, that supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support delivered do not conform to the described accessibility standards, remediation of the supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its expense.

(d) In order to facilitate the Government's determination whether proposed ICT supplies meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, offerors must submit an Accessibility Conformance Report, in accordance with its completion instructions and tailored to the requirements in the solicitation. The purpose of the Report is to assist HHS acquisition and program officials in determining whether proposed ICT supplies conform to applicable Section 508 accessibility standards. The template allows offerors or developers to self-evaluate their supplies and document, in detail, whether they conform to a specific Section 508 accessibility standard, and any underway remediation efforts addressing conformance issues. Instructions https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/accessibility-checklists/index.html https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat for preparing the HHS Section 508 Evaluation Template are available at https://Section508.gov/.

(e) In order to facilitate the Government's determination whether proposed ICT services meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, offerors must provide enough information to assist the Government in determining that the ICT services conform to Section 508 accessibility standards, including any underway remediation efforts addressing conformance issues.

(f) Respondents to this solicitation must identify any inability to conform to Section 508 requirements. If an offeror claims its supplies or services meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and it is later determined by the Government, i.e., after award of a contract or order, that supplies or services delivered do not conform to the described accessibility standards, remediation of the supplies or services to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its expense.

(g) Items delivered as electronic content must be accessible to HHS acceptance criteria.

Checklist for various formats are available at http://508.hhs.gov/. Materials, other than items incidental to contract management, that are final items for delivery should be accompanied by the appropriate checklist, except upon approval of the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer’s Representative.

(End of provision)

9. CONTRACT CLAUSES

(vi) The clauses at FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:

https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul https://www.hhs.gov/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar-overhaul

(End of clause)

a) The following FAR clauses are required by FAR 12.205(b)(1) for all solicitations and incorporated by reference:

https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul https://www.hhs.gov/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar-overhaul

FAR 52.212-4, Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

b) The following FAR clauses are required as applicable to this requirement and incorporated by reference:

See Attachment 2- Table# 12-3

HHSAR Applicable Clauses 352.232-71 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests APR 2026 (RFO Deviation)

352.239-79 Information and Communication Technology Accessibility FEB 2024 (Deviation)(a) Pursuant to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, all information and communication technology (ICT) supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, and services support developed, acquired, maintained or delivered under this contract or order must comply with the Revised 508 Standards, which are located at 36 C.F.R. 1194.1 and Appendices A, B, and C, and are available at https://www.access-board.gov/ict/. Information about Section 508 is available at https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/index.html.

(b) Additional Section 508 accessibility standards applicable to this contract or order may be identified in the specification, statement of work, or performance work statement. If it is determined by the Government that ICT supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, and services support provided by the Contractor do not conform to the described accessibility standards in the contract, remediation of the supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its own expense.

(c) In the event of a modification(s) to this contract or order, which adds new ICT supplies or services or revises the type of, or specifications for, supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support, the Contracting Officer shall require that the Contractor submit a completed HHS Section 508 Accessibility Conformance Checklist (see https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/accessibility-checklists/index.html) or an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) (based on the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) see https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat), and any other additional information necessary to assist the Government in determining that the ICT supplies or services conform to Section 508 accessibility standards. If it is determined by the Government that ICT supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, and services support provided by the Contractor do not conform to the described accessibility standards in the contract, remediation of the supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its own expense.

https://www.access-board.gov/ict/ https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/index.html

(d) If this is an Indefinite-Delivery type contract, a Blanket Purchase Agreement or a Basic Ordering Agreement, the task/delivery order requests that include ICT supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support will define the specifications and accessibility standards for the order. In those cases, the Contractor shall be required to provide a completed HHS Section 508 Accessibility Conformance Checklist (see https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/accessibility-checklists/index.html) or an ACR (based on the VPAT see https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat), and any other additional information necessary to assist the Government in determining that the ICT supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support conform to Section 508 accessibility standards. If it is determined by the Government that ICT supplies and services provided by the Contractor do not conform to the described accessibility standards in the provided documentation, remediation of the supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its own expense.

(e) The contractor shall identify to the Contracting Officer any perceived exception or exemption to Section 508 requirements.

(End of clause)

14. ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1: Statement of Work Attachment 2: Table 12-3 | Clauses to Include as Prescribed Attachment 3: Invoice and Payment Instructions

14. ATTACHMENTS